Objective: To review the emergency management and perioperative strategies for ruptured neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-related giant plexiform neurofibroma (PNF), providing a systematic treatment protocol to improve the therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients with giant PNF.
Methods: The literature on the management of giant PNF rupture and hemorrhage was reviewed, and the diagnosis, treatment, and perioperative management were summarized based on clinical experiences.
Results: By implementing an integrated diagnostic and treatment strategy that includes early diagnosis, imaging evaluation, emergency ultra-selective arterial embolization combined with surgical excision, acute hemorrhage can be effectively controlled while also reducing the risk of major intraoperative bleeding and minimizing postoperative complications. As a result, this approach significantly improves treatment success rates and patient quality of life.
Conclusion: For ruptured NF1-related giant PNF, employing emergency ultra-selective arterial embolization combined with surgical excision, under the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, can effectively improve treatment success rates, rapidly control bleeding, reduce tumor size, and lower mortality. Future research should focus on assessing the long-term quality of life of patients treated for ruptured and hemorrhaging giant PNF and on further optimizing treatment protocols.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Cross-Union surgery for the treatment of pseudarthrosis of the tibia (PT) with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
Methods: The clinical data of 8 children of PT with NF1 who met the selection criteria between January 2018 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 boys and 3 girls, and the operative age ranged from 1.8 to 13.3 years with a median age of 3.5 years. According to Paley classification, there were 2 cases of type 2a, 2 cases of type 3, 2 cases of type 4a, and 2 cases of type 4c. There were 5 cases of first operation and 3 cases of re-fracture after previous operation. Six cases had leg length discrepancy before operation, and 2 of them had shortening over 2.0 cm. Except for 1 case of ankle fusion, the other 7 cases had ankle valgus. Preoperative coronal/sagittal angulation was recorded. Postoperative pseudarthrosis healing and refracture were observed. Leg length discrepancy and tibiotalar angle were measured and recorded before operation and at last follow-up. Inan imaging evaluation criteria was used to evaluate the imaging effect.
Results: All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 23.5 months). One pseudarthrosis failed to heal at 12 months after operation and healed at 3 months after reoperation, while the other pseudarthrosis healed with a healing rate of 87.5% and a healing time of 4-8 months (mean, 5.3 months). No refracture occurred during the follow-up. At last follow-up, there were 2 new cases with leg length discrepancy, which were 0.7 cm and 1.3 cm, respectively. In 2 cases with the leg length discrepancy more than 2.0 cm before operation, the improvement was from 4.1 cm and 12.6 cm to 2.1 cm and 9.0 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference in leg length discrepancy between pre- and post-operation in 8 cases ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, 6 patients still had ankle valgus, and there was no significant difference in the tibiotalar angle between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05); the tibial coronal/sagittal angulation significantly improved when compared with that before operation ( P<0.05). According to Inan imaging evaluation criteria, 1 case was good, 6 cases were fair, and 1 case was poor.
Conclusion: Cross-Union surgery is an effective method for the treatment of PT with NF1 in children, can achieve good bone healing results with a low risk of re-fracture. The surgery may not have significant effects on leg length discrepancy and ankle valgus, and further treatment may be required.
Objective: To investigate the causes of spontaneous osteogenesis of Masquelet technique induced membrane.
Methods: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-9 weeks were selected to establish a critical-sized bone defect of the right middle femur model. Then the rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 12 rats in groups A-C and 6 rats in group D. The bone defects in groups A-C were filled with vancomycin-loaded polymethyl methacrylate bone cement spacers. Then the Kirschner wires were used for intramedullary fixation in groups A and B, and the bone cement was used to connect the bone cement spacers and the bone ends in group B. The steel plate was used to fixation in group C. The bone defect in group D was only fixed with steel plate as a blank control group. The general condition was observed after operation. At 5 weeks after operation, 6 rats in groups A-C were selected for STRO-1 immunohistochemical staining to observe the content of mesenchyme stem cells (MSCs) in the induced membrane (STRO-1 + cells). At 12 weeks after operation, the remaining rats in groups A-D were taken for X-ray observation, gross observation, and histological observation (HE, safranin O-green staining) to observe the spontaneous osteogenesis of the membrane.
Results: All rats in the 4 groups survived until the completion of the experiment. At 5 weeks after operation, the immunohistochemical staining showed that group B was negative, while the contents of MSCs in the induced membrane in groups A and C were 14.20%±1.92% and 5.00%±0.71%, respectively, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). At 12 weeks after operation, group A showed that the new bone formed at the osteotomy site and growth towards the center of the bone defect, with an average length of 3.1 mm on one side; and the presence of bone, cartilage lesions, fibers, and a small amount of neovascularization were observed in the induced membrane. Group C only had a small amount of new bone at the osteotomy site, and a small amount of neovascularization in the induced membrane. Groups B and D did not have any new bone, but bone resorption or atrophy at the osteotomy site.
Conclusion: Although the Masquelet technique induced membrane has osteogenesis, the key factor for the spontaneous osteogenesis is the bone marrow overflow from the bone marrow cavity providing MSCs. The spontaneous osteogenesis of the induced membrane belongs to endochondral ossification.
Objective: To summarize the treatment strategies and clinical experiences of 5 cases of giant plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) involving the head, face, and neck.
Methods: Between April 2021 and May 2023, 5 patients with giant PNFs involving the head, face, and neck were treated, including 1 male and 4 females, aged 6-54 years (mean, 22.4 years). All tumors showed progressive enlargement, involving multiple regions such as the maxillofacial area, ear, and neck, significantly impacting facial appearance. Among them, 3 cases involved tumor infiltration into deep tissues, affecting development, while 4 cases were accompanied by hearing loss. Imaging studies revealed that all 5 tumors predominantly exhibited an invasive growth pattern, in which 2 and 1 also presenting superficial and displacing pattern, respectively. The surgical procedure followed a step-by-step precision treatment strategy based on aesthetic units, rather than simply aiming for maximal tumor resection in a single operation. Routine preoperative embolization of the tumor-feeding vessels was performed to reduce bleeding risk, followed by tumor resection combined with reconstructive surgery.
Results: All 5 patients underwent 1-3 preoperative embolization procedures, with no intraoperative hemorrhagic complications reported. Four patients required intraoperative blood transfusion. A total of 10 surgical procedures were performed across the 5 patients. One patient experienced early postoperative flap margin necrosis due to ligation for hemostasis; however, the incisions in the remaining patients healed without complications. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 6 to 36 months, with a mean follow-up duration of 21.6 months. No significant tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: For patients with giant PNF involving the head, face, and neck, precision treatment strategy can effectively control surgical risks and improve the standard of aesthetic reconstruction. This approach enhances overall treatment outcomes by minimizing complications and optimizing functional and cosmetic results.
Objective: To review research progress on femoral attachment positioning during medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, so as to provide a reference for accurate positioning in clinic.
Methods: The literature at home and abroad on femoral attachment positioning during MPFL reconstruction was extensively reviewed and summarized.
Results: MPFL is the main ligament that restricts patellar outward migration, so MPFL reconstruction is the main treatment for patellar dislocation, but the accuracy of intraoperative femoral attachment positioning will significantly affect the effectiveness. At present, there are three main methods for femoral attachment positioning in MPFL reconstruction, including imaging positioning, bony landmark positioning, and new technology. Among them, the main imaging positioning method is the "Schöttle point" method, but it has high requirements for fluoroscopic positioning, and can only be accurately positioned under standard lateral fluoroscopy of the femur. The bony landmark positioning method mainly locates the femoral attachment by touching or dissecting the bony landmarks such as adductor tubercles and medial epicondyle of femur, but its disadvantages are that the positioning is not accurate enough, the intraoperative visual field exposure requirements are high, and a large incision is required. In order to avoid the problem that the simple bony landmark positioning method, in recent years, the combination of bony landmarks combined with arthroscopy, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, and robot-assisted positioning methods have begun to be used in clinical practice. New technology localization methods have shown good results by preparing guides before operation, planning positioning paths in advance, or directly using robots to assist positioning during operation.
Conclusion: The accurate positioning of the femoral attachment in MPFL reconstruction is crucial, and the method of accurate and rapid intraoperative determination needs to be further improved and optimized. In the future, it is expected that the combination of computer image recognition correction technology and intraoperative position assistance will solve this problem.
Objective: To summarize the latest developments in neurosurgical treatments for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and explore therapeutic strategies to provide comprehensive treatment guidelines for clinicians.
Methods: The recent domestic and international literature and clinical cases in the field of NF1 were reviewed. The main types of neurological complications associated with NF1 and their treatments were thorough summarized and the future research directions in neurosurgery was analyzed.
Results: NF1 frequently results in complex and diverse lesions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, particularly low-grade gliomas in the brain and spinal canal and paraspinal neurofibromas. Treatment decisions should be made by a multidisciplinary team. Symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and tumors with malignant imaging evidence require neurosurgical intervention. The goals of surgery include reducing tumor size, alleviating pain, and improving appearance. Postoperative functional rehabilitation exercises, long-term multidisciplinary follow-up, and psychosocial interventions are crucial for improving the quality of life for patients. Advanced imaging guidance systems and artificial intelligence technologies can help increase tumor resection rates and reduce recurrence.
Conclusion: Neurosurgical intervention is the primary treatment for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors when medical treatment is ineffective and the lesions progress rapidly. Preoperative multidisciplinary assessment, intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring, and advanced surgical assistance devices significantly enhance surgical efficacy and safety. Future research should continue to explore new surgical techniques and improve postoperative management strategies to achieve more precise and personalized treatment for NF1 patients.
Objective: To investigate short-term effectiveness of robot-guided femoral neck system (FNS) combined with cannulated compression screw (CCS) fixation in treatment of femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients.
Methods: A clinical data of 49 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fractures, who met the selection criteria and admitted between January 2021 and June 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. After reduction of femoral neck fractures, 27 cases were treated with robot-guided FNS fixation (FNS group) and 22 cases with robot-guided FNS and CCS fixation (FNS+CCS group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, cause of fracture, time from fracture to operation, fracture side, and classification (Garden classification and Pauwels classification) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, the time when the patient began bearing weight, and hip joint pain and functional scores (VAS score and Harris score) at last follow-up for two groups were recorded. Imaging re-examination was taken to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction, fracture healing, as well as the occurrence of fracture non-union, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and femoral neck shortening.
Results: All operations were successfully completed and the incisions healed by first intention. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency in FNS+CCS group significantly increased compared to FNS group ( P<0.05). All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.1 months). Imaging re-examination showed that there was no significant difference in fracture reduction quality between the two groups ( P>0.05), but the fracture healing time was significantly shorter in FNS+CCS group than in FNS group, and weight-bearing began earlier ( P<0.05). The incidences of femoral neck shortening, fracture non-union, and osteonecrosis of the femoral head were lower in FNS+CCS group than in FNS group, and there was significant difference in the incidence of femoral neck shortening between groups ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). However, the Harris score was significantly higher in FNS+CCS group than in FNS group ( P<0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with FNS fixation alone, robot-guided FNS combined with CCS fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients has obvious advantages in terms of early weight bearing and fracture healing, improves fracture healing rate, effectively prevents postoperative complications, and can obtain good short-term effectiveness.